Welcome to Shanghai American School, where your child's dreams will take flight.
Thank you for your interest in SAS! By joining our community, your child will be supported by our mission-driven approach and nurtured in their journey towards becoming lifelong learners, compassionate individuals, and fearless dreamers. Everyone at SAS is deeply committed to student growth and development – both inside and outside of the classroom.
Our Admissions Team is always excited to meet prospective students who have the potential to thrive in our community. Whether you are applying to our Pudong or our Puxi campus, our Admissions Team is eager to show you and your family what SAS is all about. Email us or complete an inquiry form to learn more about the world-class, transformative educational experience that awaits you at SAS.
Kindly note, seat availability for 2025/26 is very limited on both campuses. For additional information on seat availability, please contact our Admissions Team directly.
Welcome, future Eagles!
– Renee Gian, Director of Admissions + Enrollment
One mission, one vision, one team, one future.
Shanghai American School is the only international school in Shanghai where all revenue that comes into the school stays in the school – and it shows in our campuses. SAS has two PreK-12 campuses that provide modern and dynamic environments designed to inspire creativity and innovation. Both the Pudong and Puxi campuses offer a broad range of subjects, sports, student clubs and after-school activities.
Are you eligible?
Families wishing to apply to Shanghai American School must meet the eligibility requirements set out by the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission (SHMEC) for schools for children of foreign nationals. Eligibility to apply to SAS is dependent on the family’s passport, work and residence in Shanghai and meeting one of the four categories listed below:
Category 1: Child of foreign citizen
Category 2: Child born overseas to PRC citizens
Category 3: Child of Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan residents
Category 4: Child who is holding a SHMEC waiver letter
Requirements
- For Pre-K3, strong preference for those already three years old by the first day of the academic year or before mid-August, whichever is first
- Fully toilet-trained (Pre-K3/Pre-K4)
- Family Questionnaire
- Foundational English recommended
- Possible EAL testing for English language learners (Grade 1)
- Possible EAL testing for students whose primary language is not English
- NWEA MAP assessment preferred
- Other standardized test scores such as the SSAT, ERB, ISA, IOWA Basic Skills Test or state tests may be accepted as alternate assessments
- Possible EAL testing for students whose primary language is not English
- NWEA MAP assessment preferred
- PSAT, SAT or ACT may be accepted as alternate assessments
- Must be English proficient
- Once students gain admission to SAS, the International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement programs have no additional admission requirements. The IB and AP is available to all Grade 11 and 12 students enrolled at SAS. For our IB Program Policies please visit the IB Program Policy Manual.
How and when decisions are made.
SAS receives and reviews applications on a rolling basis. We encourage families to submit all required documents by the published submission dates so applications can be considered in the relevant decision round.
Seat availability.
If you are interested in joining the SAS community during the 2025-26 school year, please contact our Admissions team. Seat availability is currently very limited across both campuses. Please email admissions@saschina.org and we can recommend the best option for your family.
Discover SAS from Anywhere!
We’re excited to invite you to explore our website to learn more about our vibrant community and exceptional educational programs. You can also take a closer look at SAS's world-class facilities through our engaging 360° virtual tour! This interactive experience allows you to navigate each of our campuses at your own pace, making it easier than ever to get a sense of what makes SAS so special.
For those interested in visiting us in person, please note that our limited in-person tours fill up quickly. We also understand that many families from overseas may not be able to join us on campus, which is why our virtual tour is a fantastic option for everyone.
If you have any questions or need further information, our friendly Admissions Team is here to assist you. We can’t wait to help you learn more about the incredible opportunities awaiting you at SAS!
Get to know our community.
Once our students graduate, they go “from here to anywhere.” Which makes sense, considering that when they arrive, they come from everywhere. Families from over 45 countries on six different continents now call SAS home. Take a few moments to get to know some of them. Hear about how it feels to live in Shanghai, and learn about the SAS experience – all from the people who know it best.
As Shanghai’s only non-owned, not-for-profit international school, all revenue SAS receives goes into making the school even better.
